CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > February 2025 59 rail plant association RAIL PLANT ASSOCIATION: 1 Piling Over the years there have been several derailments when piling and following a recent derailent at Balham, the Chair of the RPA has proposed that a working group be set up jointly with the M&EE Networking Group to review COP0034 and to look at providing further guidance when operators are applying down pressure on the pile, resulting in potential flange climbing. The working group aim to start work at the end of January or start of February. Human FormRecognition RPA members strive to ensure that their plant operatives are safe and are always looking for new technology to make further improvements. The people and plant interface poses one of the most critical risk factors in construction activities, including the railway infrastructure. One option to support current standard control measures is the use of Human Form Recognition (HFR) cameras fitted to machines, which several principal contractors are already mandating on their sites. HFR cameras are a multi-camera system, installed on mobile plant (not directly interfacing with any safety system), which detects the human form and then communicates this detection visually and audibly to the operator of the mobile plant, and where appropriate, makes the pedestrian aware that they have been detected. Existing control measures are currently passive in nature, but HFR will enable a different approach, proactively warning operators of personnel in close proximity to plant. They can also provide supervisors and management with data related to the risk profile of site operations. This new technology will not replace any existing control measures, but sits alongside current risk mitigation measures adding an additional layer of protection for site staff and members of the public. The example below shows 2 zones which are configurable: The Outer Amber Zone alerts the operator via an in-cab visual indicator and the pedestrian externally via a repeating spoken alarm “caution, machine in operation”. The Inner Red Zone alerts the operator via an in-cab visual indicator and repeating spoken alarm “person detected” and the pedestrian externally via a repeating spoken alarm “caution, machine in operation”. Amber/Red Zone The system can also provide data related to the risk profile of site operations, giving key indicators such as: RPA Celebrates 25th Anniversary The RPA is celebrating its 25th year anniversary since it was established in December 1999 and to mark this significant milestone, the Association will be holding a 25th Anniversary Dinner on the evening of Tuesday 25th February 2025 (the night before the RPA AGM and RPA Leadership Meeting on Wednesday 26th February) at the Best Western Manor Hotel, Meriden, near Coventry.